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Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, creating a weak national government.

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

Included the ability to declare war, make treaties and admit new states.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Included inability to impose taxes, lack of an executive or judicial branch, and difficulty in changing the document.

Northwest Ordinance of 1789

A law that established a process for admitting new states and guaranteed rights for settlers in the Northwest Territory.

Shays' Rebellion

An armed uprising led by farmers protesting against economic injustices and the lack of federal power to intervene.

Great Compromise

A compromise creating a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in one house and equal representation in the other.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement that slaves would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and tax purposes.

Electoral College

A compromise established to elect the president, where each state selects electors based on popular vote within the state.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for government representation based on equal representation for each state.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for government representation based on the population of each state.